Baseball Broncos sign five recruits for 2002Feb. 5, 2002 KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan University baseball team has signed five players to National Letters of Intent. Matthew Bolton (Chicago/Harlan Academy), Scott Olsen (Crystal
Lake, Ill./South), Bryan Rumple (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont), Daniel
Lanoue (Rochester Hills, Mich./Adams), and R.C. Dickerson (Kalamazoo,
Mich./Central) will attend Western Michigan and play baseball
beginning in the fall of 2002. "He has unlimited potential," Bronco head coach
Fred Decker said. "He's a great runner and has terrific
hands and feet for an infielder. He's got an outstanding arm,
and when he fills out he will be a really good hitter."
"Bryan throws his fastball in the 88-89 mile per hour
range," Decker said. "He's got a really good breaking
ball and the makings of a good offspeed pitch. I like his competitiveness
and natural arm action." Dan LaNoue has pitched and played catcher for Rochester Adams, but will primarily work behind the plate for Decker's club. LaNoue was and is the only freshman to letter in baseball at Adams. He was named to the AllOakland Activities Association, all district, and all regional first teams as a sophomore and was a second team all league and district selection as a junior. LaNoue hit .406 with six homers and 35 RBI during his junior season. His father, Dan, played at WMU from 1974-76 and was in the Detroit Tigers' system from 1976-79. "Dan has real good arm strength," Decker said. "He
throws 87-88 off the mound. He's a strong hitter with good power."
"He's a lefty hitter with great bat control," Decker said. "He's an outstanding runner and gets a good jump on balls in the outfield - he takes a great angle on the ball." Scott Olsen has a good chance to contribute to the WMU pitching staff as a freshman. "Scott throws about 88 and has a terrific arm with the potential to throw harder," Decker said. "He's a very competitive pitcher." Western Michigan finished the 2001 season 15-13 in MAC play, 26-28 overall. For more information, visit the Broncos on the Web at <www.wmubroncos.com>. Media contact: Geoff Brown, 269 387-4138, geoffrey.brown@wmich.edu |
Office of University Relations |